Page 41 of Is It Casual Now?

Taking in a deep breath of her daughter’s unique scent mixed with sweat and sugar, Siena allowed all stress to fall away from her shoulders. At least for that moment.

“All right, gotta go now, Mommy. Arms are too tight.”

“Oh!” Siena chuckled and let her daughter go. “Sorry. I just love you so much.”

“I know.”

Saying her goodbyes to Tori and again to Harley, Siena didn’t miss for a second Jamie’s presence remaining beside her. Tori then gave them their shutting-down instructions, who to go to if they got stuck, and left with a wave over her shoulder.

“For a powerhouse of a manager, you’re decidedly soft and adorable with your daughter.”

“Thank you?” Siena wasn’t sure if the compliment was genuine, or even a compliment at all.

“Oh, I mean it as a good thing. It means you do actually have a heart.” Jamie smiled and started walking back across the floor. The last of the children had filtered out, directed by teachers and other parent volunteers. Jamie reached the first table and began packing up the trash left behind, tossing it into a large plastic can beside the table. “I wish I had half the patience with kids as other people do.”

Siena laughed, taking the tablecloth from the now empty table and bundling it up.

“For people who look identical, you and your sister really are nothing alike, are you?”

“Absolute opposites, I’m afraid.” The self-deprecating smilethat stretched Jamie’s lips caused an unusual ache in Siena’s chest. “She’s kind, patient, and a nice person.”

“You don’t really think that, do you?”

“Of course, I do,” Jamie said, her face contorting in an affronted manner. “My sister is one of the best people I’ve ever met in my life. And sure, I might be biased, but other people see it too. It’s not just me.”

“She is a nice person. I wasn’t asking that.” Siena’s voice was nearly a whisper as she spoke. “I meant you think you aren’t those things.”

“Oh.” Jamie didn’t respond. Instead, she continued to move table to table until all the trash had been taken care of. Without the need of any verbal communication, the two retraced their steps, tipping over the tables and folding them down as though they had done this all a thousand times at a thousand different events.

“Can I ask you something?” Siena asked, hoping enough time had passed for the thickness of the air to clear for Jamie as much as it had for her.

“Sure,” Jamie said, not looking up.

“Will your boss really fire you if you don’t get a date for the interview set?”

“He’s threatening it. And he’s not one to threaten lightly.” Jamie shrugged as though it wasn’t of any concern.

Siena’s stomach twisted uncomfortably. She’d never been one to take on the consequences of other people’s actions. The situation Jamie found herself in now was a result of her own choices. Siena couldn’t help stupid or impulsive.

“I think that’s everything on your ex’s to-do list.” Jamie surveyed the large space. “I’ll go let Jessie know.”

“I’ll come with you.” Siena smiled. For a moment their eyes met, and Siena’s stomach tightened.

“Well, that would be a nice change.” Jamie smirked and winked wildly.

“Oh my God.” Siena laughed despite the heat in her cheeks that swiftly moved down into her chest. She shook her head and followed Jamie out of the gym. There were still far too many people around for Siena to feel comfortable lingering very long, but she wouldn’t just leave before she had spoken to Harley’s teacher—to Jessie—Jamie’s twin sister. It still felt far too surreal to be true.

“All finished then?” Jessie smiled, her voice still carrying the bubbles of energy that should have been illegal this far into the evening when Siena knew full well she’d been dealing with a horde of small children all day. Not that it was all that late. But the sun had set, and the last lingering rays stretched over the school buildings.

“Yeah. All done to Tori’s directions,” Siena answered, wondering what the conversation between the twins was as they stared at each other, their eyes flicking slightly.

Whatever it was, Jessie recovered first, and for a few minutes, the three of them spoke with an ease that Siena found herself genuinely enjoying. The tension between her and Jamie remained, tightly wound in a delicious way.

“Do you want me to wait and walk you out when you’re done?” Jamie asked.

“No. It’s fine. We’ve got a few more things to get done before I can take off for the night.” Jessie threw a look over her shoulder to some other people behind her.

Siena assumed they were other staff.

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